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Abstract:

A system composed of a special Tile, to cover whole roof, thermally
insulating, ventilated, with no environmental impact, producing solar and
photovoltaic energy, adequate to make hot water and/or electrical energy.
Two functions, thermal and photovoltaic, are designed to operate in
synergy, or independently. The photovoltaic can help the thermal system,
if covered surfaces are too small for heating needs of the building, or
in non-ideal climates, sending part of electrical energy to electrical
water heaters positioned in the boiler, to complement hot water
production during low irradiation seasons. The resulting roof is optimal
in any climate; in areas with snowfall snow will melt on tiles that
anyway develop heat; in hot areas during summers very high temperatures
occur, thus transforming heat in heat exchangers into cooling, obtaining
air conditioning or cold water below the floor. It will be possible to
obtain heated water for pools from excess of hot water in summer and in
winter.

Claims:

1. A tile element with its variants and accessories, aimed at obtaining a
specific building system meant to cover the entire roof of houses and
buildings, industries, etc., and any other structure that may be covered
to take advantage of the thermal and photovoltaic solar energy to produce
hot water and electrical energy at the same time.

2-26. (canceled)

27. A covering tile for roof and wall structures of buildings,
comprising: an upper element comprising a convex portion having an inner
surface treated so as to be reflecting, the upper element being coated
with one or more first photovoltaic elements, a base, provided with a
reflecting plate covering a thermally insulating element, having a
concave portion in correspondence with the convex portion of the upper
element, said convex portion of the upper element and said concave
portion of the plate forming a cavity wherein a greenhouse effect is
produced when the tile is exposed to solar radiation, a radiation
absorbing main pipe being positioned within the cavity in correspondence
with a center of the convex portion of the upper element, the base being
provided with lower positioning stands, so as to be capable to be
supported by the stands over a structure and to form an air and
ventilation chamber.

28. A covering tile according to claim 27, characterised in that one or
more radiation absorbing lower pipes are positioned in contact with the
plate, said lower pipes being preferably provided with end male/female
joints and sealing gaskets.

29. A covering tile according to claim 28, characterised in that said
lower pipes are made by means of the reflecting plate and a second lower
plate which define channels acting as said lower pipes, whereby said
lower pipes are incorporated in such a double layer plate.

30. A covering tile according to claim 27, characterised in that the
upper element is provided with a either bifocal or Fresnel lens for
concentrating solar radiation within the cavity.

31. A covering tile according to claim 27, characterised in that the main
pipe is provided with end male/female joints and sealing gaskets.

32. A covering tile according to claim 27, characterised in that the
upper element is internally provided with metal wires.

33. A covering tile according to claim 27, characterised in that the
upper element is made of metallic material, wherein the inner surface is
preferably galvanized, and/or plastic and/or carbon polymer and/or
vitreous material, wherein the inner surface is preferably coated with
reflecting paint, so that the upper element is transparent on an external
side and opaque on the inner surface.

34. A covering tile according to claim 27, characterised in that said one
or more first photovoltaic elements comprise silicon films and/or
conducting electrodes with micro/nano structural organic paint and/or
suspended films of amorhous silicon, preferably made porous through
electrolytic attack.

35. A covering tile according to claim 27, characterised in that the
thermally insulating element is inserted in or integral with the base,
the thermally insulating element being preferably foamed, more preferably
made of rigid thermohardened polyurethane or polystyrene.

36. A covering tile according to claim 27, characterised in that the
upper element and the base are connected to each other through either
plastic or metal joints, wherein such joints preferably comprise side
threaded plugs or fixing pins of the upper element insertable in
corresponding side guides of the base.

37. A system for covering roof and wall structures of buildings and
producing thermal and photovoltaic energy, comprising a first plurality
of covering tiles, characterised in that each covering tile comprises: an
upper element comprising a convex portion having an inner surface treated
so as to be reflecting, the upper element being coated with one or more
first photovoltaic elements, a base, provided with a reflecting plate
covering a thermally insulating element, having a concave portion in
correspondence with the convex portion of the upper element, said convex
portion of the upper element and said concave portion of the plate
forming a cavity wherein a greenhouse effect is produced when the tile is
exposed to solar radiation, a radiation absorbing main pipe being
positioned within the cavity in correspondence with a center of the
convex portion of the upper element, the base being provided with lower
positioning stands, so as to be capable to be supported by the stands
over a structure and to form an air and ventilation chamber, wherein
corresponding pipes of adjacent tiles are connected to each other and to
a heat exchanger or insulated boiler heating coils for the production of
hot water and/or steam, wherein the photovoltaic elements of the tiles
are connected together and to an accumulator or electrical distribution
system, wherein the tiles are supported by the respective lower
positioning stands over a structure so as to form an air and ventilation
chamber.

38. A system according to claim 37, characterised in that a fluid having
high calorific value flows into the pipes of the plurality of covering
tiles, wherein said fluid is preferably a mixtures of nitrogen and liquid
phosphorus.

39. A system according to claim 37, characterised in that it further
comprises one or more second covering tiles comprising an upper element,
having a convex portion, and a base, provided with a thermally insulating
element, preferably foamed, more preferably made of rigid thermohardened
polyurethane or polystyrene, wherein the upper element is coupled to the
base so as to lie on the thermally insulating element, the upper element
being preferably coated with one or more photovoltaic elements connected
to the photovoltaic elements of the first plurality of covering tile.

40. A system according to claim 37, characterised in that at least a
subset of the covering tiles which the system comprises overlap each
other.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present Application is a continuation of a co-pending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/377,505, filed Feb. 13, 2009, which was a
U.S. National phase of International Application No. PCT/IT2007/000293
filed on Apr. 19, 2007, which claims priority from Italian Application
No. FR2006A000023 filed on Aug. 16, 2006. Each of these applications is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into the present
Application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Object of the following patent is a "system composed of a special
Tile, its variants and accessories, adequate to cover the whole roof,
thermally insulating, ventilated, with no environmental impact, producing
solar and photovoltaic energy, adequate for the production of hot water
and/or electrical energy".

[0003] This system is applied in covering totally or partially roofs and
walls, with modular, bi-component elements or pre-assembled ones,
thermally insulating and ventilated, aimed at producing hot water and/or
electrical energy.

[0004] The two elements that compose a "Tile" are described in detail in
the following pages. They contain inside pipelines, mixing circuits,
absorbing plates, and outside on the top side photovoltaic absorbers to
produce electrical energy, such as:

[0006] b--plastic materials made of carbon polymers or similar plastics

[0007] c--embossed and/or die-cast silica derivatives

[0008] These materials, when suitably produced, with coatings and special
colored films, look like traditional tiles in their external (superior)
side.

[0009] The "Tile" with its variants and accessories is specifically suited
to cover the whole roof and/or walls of a house, industrial complex or
any building that may be used to take advantage of solar energy, as
expressed in the main claim; has no environmental impact and can thus be
used in historic centers since it can faithfully replicate shapes and
colors of traditional roof coverings, is adequate for any type of
covering since it can be cut and shaped; has a low total cost and very
high energetic yield.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Presently, electrical energy and hot water production from systems
positioned on buildings is obtained from photovoltaic and solar panels of
various types and shapes.

[0011] Traditional photovoltaic panels are made of elements of various
sizes, mainly composed of silica tiles connected to form a photovoltaic
cell, meant to produce electrical energy. They are protected by
ultraviolet-resistant glass or plastic screens, positioned above the
cover or substituting the cover, for great surfaces. They absorb solar
and ultraviolet rays, transforming them in electrical energy. They are
not well integrated in the architecture of the building, except in
extremely modern buildings where whole sections of the roof or adequately
exposed walls are used.

[0012] Solar panels instead, used to collect solar radiant energy to
produce hot water, are made of a solar collector which is simply a plate
that collects solar radiation. A circuit is connected to the plate. The
circuit allows the circulation of a fluid meant to remove thermal energy
from the plate and to bring it to the internal network in order to be
used. The inner components of the system are protected by an external
transparent screen, like the one of photovoltaic panels, and by a
thermally insulating screen positioned below, meant to avoid heat
dispersion.

[0013] Solar panels have the same problems of photovoltaic panels; since
they are positioned above the roof cover, or substituting it in the case
of large surfaces, they do not integrate at all in the architecture of
the building, thus creating a significant environmental contrast with the
surrounding environment. Installation of these elements on roof covers is
quite complex and often causes rain water leakage in time, both systems
are too expensive in relation to the real energetic yield they produce.
Several years are needed to counterbalance the installation cost; this
factor significantly limits their use even today.

[0014] In the last years several inventors have dedicated themselves to
finding alternative solutions to traditional solar and photovoltaic
panels. Several patent applications have been requested and granted, both
in Italy and abroad, for various types of products (covering tiles,
tiles, etc.) with the objective of optimizing either the production of
hot water, or of electricity, independently, with absorbing elements
meant to cover buildings totally or partially, substituting solar and
photovoltaic panels on the market today. These approaches forgot to
consider that, in order to achieve a valid result, the "coverage system"
needed to be improved mostly, using a system that could substitute the
commonly used tiles, easily adjustable to any situation, avoiding
environmental impact problems, able to produce hot water and electric
energy through solar rays collection.

[0015] These new proposed or patented systems have not achieved any
significant result, since they have not been accepted and produced by the
industry, which still today produces traditional solar and photovoltaic
panels. They also do not satisfy practical and functional requirements,
in relation to adjustability to various roofs, cost lowering, performance
and most of all compatibility with traditional roof coverings; in order
not to create any environmental impact and be able to use them in
traditional architecture and historic centers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Currently, optimal and well implemented coverage of a house or more
in general, of a building, is achieved through positioning thermally
insulated and ventilated panels, positioned horizontally on the inclined
top of an attic or traditional wooden top, on top of which terracotta
roofing tiles, cement, slate, canadian tiles, other types of tiles, etc.
are positioned. These coverings are made perfectly compatible with the
surrounding environment by choosing the right type of tile depending on
the location and thus satisfy the aesthetic and waterproofing
requirements. They do not use, but simply dissipate the solar energy that
they accumulate.

[0017] The new covering system proposed uses specifically-made Tiles to
cover the entire building, becoming part of it, producing at the same
time hot water for house use, for heating, and electrical energy, through
collection and absorption of solar and ultraviolet radiation.

[0018] The new patent fully addresses the following requirements:

[0019] 1. Insulates thermally the house's roof, providing optimal
temperature. The problem of overheating of the highest floors caused by
lack of adequate insulation and ventilation is common also with
traditional systems

[0020] 2. Creates an adequate ventilation between the insulating material
and the roof structure below, both for wooden roofs, as in anglosaxon
buildings of northern Europe, north America etc., or in reinforced
concrete, as in traditional Italian buildings

[0021] 3. Perfectly suits the architectural project, since the external
surface reproduces the same shapes and colors of the various traditional
tiles, thus allowing to use the new coverings also in historic centers
and religious buildings.

[0022] 4. May be used both on pitched roofs or on walls facing north,
where there is no adequate solar irradiation, and on well-irradiated
walls facing south, south west and south east

[0023] 5. May be easily shaped, since not all roofs are linear and
rectangular, to match corners, dormer windows, differences in roof
height, etc. To be adjusted to this type of situation, it can be cut with
a hacksaw and shaped depending on the technical needs, without wastes of
time

[0024] 6. It is a covering element with optimal, non-bulky size, adequate
to meet technical and positioning requirements described previously. It
satisfies insulation and plain covering requirements for walls facing
north, while for irradiated parts it is a solar energy absorber, in order
to produce both hot water and electrical energy, also separately,
depending on needs. It resists weathering in time, it is easy to attach
to the lower structure with a plug or nail, it is easy to be substituted
or renewed on the external walk-on surface, exposed to weathering, every
element is attached to the next vertically, thanks to male/female metal
or plastic joints with adequate gaskets, while sideways they are
overlapping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1--Cross section of a type "A" "Tile" to produce thermal
and/or electrical energy, with construction details, appearing externally
as a traditional, portuguese type tile, of which the top tile, the base,
the bifocal lens and the internal "boiler" with plate and absorbing pipes
are evident.

[0026] FIG. 2--Axionometry view of a type "A" "Tile" to produce thermal
and/or electrical energy, with two covering tiles and the base normally
positioned. The top tile has bifocal lenses. It is positioned backwards
(not in the closed position) in order to show the inside of the tile with
the plate, the absorbing pipes and the lower thermally insulating foam.

[0028]FIG. 4--Axionometry view of a type "B" "Simple tile" with two
covering tiles, without bifocal lenses, with thermally insulating foam,
positioning braces, air chamber, upper fixing points, base, and position
of the first tile on the gutter pipe.

[0030]FIG. 6--Cross section of a male/female joint connected to the
pipes, which allows the perfect and simple fixing of a lower and an upper
tile.

[0031] FIG. 7--Cross section of a type "A" "Tile" for the production of
thermal and electrical energy with construction details, appearing
outside as a traditional portuguese type tile. The upper tile is evident,
together with the base, the lens, the inner "boiler" with plate and
absorbing pipes and most of all the silica plates to increase electrical
energy production, positioned on the lower flat part of the tile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] An innovative coverage system, meant not only to cover buildings,
but also to produce thermal and photovoltaic energy, to be introduced in
the international market as a substitute for the existing products used
to cover roofs and walls, has to satisfy simultaneously the following
requirements:

[0033] The elements used have to cover the whole surface of the roof and,
if applicable, also well-exposed walls, they have to suit well the
architectural design, they have to be adequate to thermally insulate the
roof, they have to suit the environment, they have to use the irradiated
surfaces optimally and continuously, turning the covering into a single
heat absorbing element for the production of hot water (eliminating the
boiler) and for the production of electrical photovoltaic energy,
significantly lowering the energetic expense for the building. If the
covering is installed in the building phase, the cost lowering is
maximal. A fundamental issue which should be considered is that only a
part of the roof cover is positioned facing south, southwest or
southeast, and can be optimally used to absorb solar energy, while all
the remaining surface facing north can be used only for a partial
absorption of ultraviolet rays.

[0034] The invention described in this patent introduces improvements and
radical changes in the implementation of roof coverings of houses and
buildings which can be summarized as follows: System suited to any type
of building, both italian and anglosaxon, with reinforced cement or
wooden roofs, total modularity, low cost with respect to the total
energetic yield, ease of transport and of installation, zero aesthetic
and environmental impact, lowering of electrical and thermal energy
production cost with respect to alternative systems to the ones used,
lowering of the photovoltaic cost in relation to the huge surface used,
with financial aids from the government, in relation to the initial
investment or other incentives active in other countries. The fundamental
idea in the main claim of this patent is to obtain all the functions of a
perfectly insulated and ventilated roof cover, together with the
energetic yield coming from the total roof surface or a large part of it,
aimed at exploiting simultaneously or separately photovoltaic and thermal
solar energy.

[0035] The system uses a single element, a newly designed "Tile", whose
size and shape can vary depending on needs, which can be produced both as
a single, pre-assembled element, and in two separate parts, the top
defined "covering tile" and the bottom defined "base", to be assembled
during installation. The "Tile", of varying size depending on the models
and types it replicates, exists in two types, "A", and "B", which are
identical externally in both components, but differ in the inside
contents.

[0037] a--thermal energy through solar irradiation ((FIG. 1 n. 3) of the
inside of the Tile, collected optimally from the custom-built top side
and enhanced through the use lens type Fresnel to concentrate the rays
solariums to the inside (FIG. 1 n. 1) positioned in the convex part (FIG.
1 n. 13) of the same tile, in order to capture sun rays from any angle,
distribute and enhance them (FIG. 1 n. 3) inside the cavity of the tile
(FIG. 1 n. 18), irradiating the metal plate and/or the radiation
collecting pipes (FIG. 1 n. 2-4)

[0038] The use of the lens type Fresnel is optimal with metallic Tile,
when the sun slant or the general situation is not satisfactory, it
allows to position the tiles with any tilting and thus to apply them
directly on any surface, disregarding the sunlight slant as with solar
panels. When the sun rays hit the concave, collecting metal plate (FIGS.
1 and 2) inside the cavity, a series of reflections enhance the
irradiating effect. Just like in a pool table, the rays bounce (FIG. 1 n.
3) and hit all internal surfaces (FIG. 1 n. 14) and their absorbing pipes
(FIG. 1 n. 4), including the main one (FIG. 1 n. 15) positioned at the
center of the convex part of the top tile. The inner surface of the top
tile (FIG. 1 n. 13) is specifically treated in the case of tiles where
plastic materials are used which are transparent on the external side and
opaque and reflecting on the inside, so that solar and ultraviolet
radiation is allowed in but not out, creating a greenhouse effect which
increases the heat provided to the collector. The collecting plate (FIG.
1 n. 2) is positioned on insulating foam (FIG. 1 n. 16), with concave
shape inside, inserted in the base element (FIG. 1 n. 6), the collecting
pipes (FIG. 1. n. 4) are positioned on the plate (FIG. 1 n. 2), their
number is suited to the specific use. For specific applications a double
layer, embossed absorbing plate, with adequate canals acting as pipes;
can be produced. All pipes inside every tile (FIG. 6 n. 21-24) are
connected with the corresponding ones of the previous and subsequent one
through male/female joints (FIG. 6 n. 23) with adequate sealing gaskets
(FIG. 5 n. 7), in plastic or metal, suited to create a single circuit
that connects all the tiles together to a heat exchanger for the
production of hot water; the joining system allows a quick connection
between the tiles without time consuming screwing, welding, etc.

[0039] b--electrical energy from photovoltaic energy through sun and
ultraviolet rays absorption on behalf of the top of the tile (FIG. 1 n.
13-14). These tile elements (FIG. 1-2-3), connected to each other with
specific joints (FIG. 1 n. 8) in plastic or metal as described later,
turn the entire roof cover into a single photovoltaic panel.

[0040] Type "B", defined "simple tile", is meant as a jolly (FIG. 4),
adjustable to any roof shape, to be used in those parts facing north that
do not produce thermal energy and/or in difficult spots, where it is not
necessary to use the energy producing tile. This element is composed of
the "top tile" (FIG. 4-5 n. 13-14-5) without lens type Fresnel, and of
the same lower "base" (FIG. 4-5 n. 6), either pre-assembled, or assembled
later, foamed inside (FIG. 4-5 n. 16), and forming a single tile which
can be cut, shaped etc., adjusting it to any covering need.

[0041] The "base" is made of a thermic hardened plastic or metal, forming
a sort of a box without a lid, where the lid is the top tile. The base
has containing side walls a few centimeters high (FIG. 1-2-3-4-5 n. 6),
inside which the thermally insulating, type polyurethane or
polystyrene-like material is foamed (FIG. 1-2-3-4-5 n. 16). The foam
takes the specific concave shape on the top, onto which the absorbing
layer is positioned. In the case of the simple tile, the foam fills the
whole cavity, increasing the protection and thermal insulation of the
less irradiated parts (FIG. 4 n. 16). The base forms an adequate air and
ventilation chamber (FIG. 1-3-5 n. 5) between the lower stand and the
tile, being raised from the stand a few centimeters through guides or
positioning stands (FIG. 1-3-4-5 n. 10-12) also used to attach the tile
unit with plugs or nails (FIG. 1-3-4-5 n. 11) to the lower structure
(FIG. 1-3-4-5 n. 17), to avoid damage of the cover due to strong winds.
For special needs, the base support can be made in rigid polyurethane or
similar products, without using the external structure of the base
support. It includes the space and adequate shape to fit in the absorbing
plate, if appropriate with pipes contained in the polyurethane and guides
and supports being part of the same unit.

[0042] The air chamber and the foaming avoid energy dispersion and
condensation outside. The absorbing, concave galvanized metal, reflecting
plate lies on the thermally insulating foaming. On top of it, some
absorbing pipes are positioned, inside which runs a cheap liquid of high
calorific value, like nitrogen mixtures and liquid phosphorus.

[0043] An additional central absorbing pipe (FIG. 1-3-5--n. 15) is
positioned at the center of the concave cavity of the base, and of the
convex cavity of the "upper tile". It lies on specific lodgings
positioned at the two ends of the base (FIG. 1-5 n. 8). All the pipes of
the thermal support have at the vertical ends of the base male/female
joints (FIG. 1-6 n. 19-20) to connect to the adjacent tile. The base also
has side guides (FIG. 1-5 n. 9) to match the fixing points from the upper
tile (FIG. 1-5 n. 8).

[0044] The "covering tile" is made in any transparent plastic material or
in carbon polymers coated with silicon films or conducting electrodes
with micro/nano structural organic paint (one or more layers), adequately
protected and resistant to ultraviolet rays, of an adequate color to
match the color that the top tile will have according to architectural
needs. If it is made with a heat conducting and absorbing metal layer
(copper, alumina, etc.), it will be "doped" by coating it with suspended
films of amorphous silica (double or triple joint) in the desired color,
made porous through electrolytic attack, in order to exploit a wider band
of the solar spectrum, or with other layered films suggested by the
latest technical achievements, like silica films or other, adequate to
collect photovoltaic energy from solar and ultraviolet rays. In this case
too, the color of the external stand (FIG. 1-3-5 n. 13) will be what is
suggested by the architectural needs. This top tile, thick enough to be
able to be walked on, depending on size and material, is made with the
external shape of the traditional tile one wants to reproduce, or with a
novel design, and has joints to allow overlaps, shaping, etc. It has
adequate gaskets (FIG. 1-5 n. 7) to make is water-tight, avoid
condensation and leaks of vapour produced inside. It also has specific
threaded plugs on the sides (FIG. 1-5 n. 8) to attach it by pushing it
into the side guides of the lower support (FIG. 1-5 n. 9), making it a
single and continuous unit with the other tiles.

[0045] The top tile hosts in its top, central convex part, as shown
previously, a lens (FIG. 1-2-3 n. 1) which allows to attract sun rays
(FIG. 1-5 n. 3) from any angle, distributing and enhancing them inside
the tile. These rays are reflected by the Fresnel lens inside the oval
cavity between the two parts of the tile, at the center of which runs the
main pipe of the absorbing liquid. Solar rays enter the cavity, which is
a real boiler, are reflected on the minor metal plate below on the main
(FIG. 1-5 n. 15) and side (FIG. 1-2-3 n. 4) pipes, heating the liquid to
high caloric temperatures. The inner concave side of the top tile is
treated in order to make it opaque and reflecting on the inside. For
polycarbonates or another plastic and vitreous materials, reflecting
paints will be used not to allow rays to escape; for metal supports, they
will be galvanized inside so that they reflect the rays inside the
cavity.

[0046] A variant of "A" type tile is shown in FIG. 7. It is made of a
slightly more expensive system, adequate to increase electrical energy
production, with the help of silica crystals positioned on specific
lodgings on top of the absorbing plate (FIG. 7 n. 26), protected by the
top tile. This type may be used in "Tiles" that use the top tile made of
transparent glass support or plastic polycarbonate, etc., or with metal
top plates (FIG. 7 n. 13-14), assembled together with vitreous or plastic
parts (FIG. 7 n. 25) positioned matching the lodging of the silica
crystals. These are all connected together through specific connections
below the top tile, to form a single photovoltaic panel.

Components Description and Installation System

[0047] Installation of the "A" type tiles which produce thermal and
electrical energy: After having levelled the surface, first a horizontal
line of base supports should be positioned, from left to right as for
traditional tiles, screwing on the lower structure the guides of some
supports, depending on weather requirements, cutting the last tile on the
right sideways with a hacksaw or similar tools, using a simple base tile
until the metal structure on the side is reached. After positioning
correctly and with the right vertical tilt the first row of base
supports, the supports of the second adjacent line are positioned, one by
one, fixing vertically the central and lateral pipes on the lower and
upper tiles through the specific male/female joints, simply lifting the
back support and pushing down until a "click" is heard. After the second
line of base supports is attached, the first row of covering tiles is
positioned, overlapping them one to the next from left to right and
vertically aligning them to the lower tiles. After the top tiles are
installed, the completed part of the roof can be safely walked on,
continuing to install one line of base supports and one line of covering
tiles until the end. In case the last tile is too long, the base support
will be cut, in this case the one with pipes that will be subsequently
connected with normal hydraulic joints. The pipes in the last base
support and the complete or cut covering tile will be connected with
insulated distribution copper pipes positioned inside of the base, they
will be foamed and insulated after installation, covered with the same
material used for the top tiles, and brought to and connected to the
insulated boiler heating coils in order to produce hot water. The boiler
should possibly be positioned close to the roof or in a specific place
where it is to be connected to the heating system of the building. In the
specific case of using the system in an area with intense sun exposure,
the system may even produce steam.

[0048] As far as the production of electrical energy meant to be sent to
an accumulator or to Hydro lines on the basis of the government aids, it
should be specified that the four connection bolts to the lower base
allow to connect all the top tiles facing north or irradiated sides, in
order to obtain a single photovoltaic surface for the whole roof, since
they are connected to the lower structure. In addition, they can create
an even wider surface, connecting through bolts to plates or tiles
positioned vertically or to other photovoltaic energy producing tiles.

[0049] The tiles that are applied to the walls of the buildings may be
used to produce thermal and photovoltaic energy, using a normal tile, or
just photovoltaic energy using a simple tile with or without internal
insulation. The external surface of the top tile in this case takes the
shape, size and color adequate to the architectural needs of the whole.

[0050] Installation of the Tiles that Only Absorb Ultraviolet Rays,
Positioned on Pitched Roofs or on Walls Facing North, or where Thermal
Connections are not Practical:

[0051] After the installation of type "A" tiles is complete in optimally
irradiated positions, installation proceeds along the same lines for the
simple type "B" tiles, which are only insulated, until roof covering is
complete, or vertical walls which are able to use ultraviolet radiation
in the absence of direct irradiation. Both the upper and the base tiles
are cut, shaped and adjusted to the shape they are meant to cover.

[0052] Special Components and Possible Other Applications of the System:

[0053] In the production phase, the upper tiles, made in plastic or in
metal, may contain on the inside metal wirings to allow connection of the
roof to other specific panels, containing wirings connected to dispersing
points, aimed at obtaining a Faraday cage for the whole building, or
other.

[0054] To complete the system, special parts not shown in the picture are
used. These are plastic or metal side bands, to cover the lateral cuts of
tiles, the joints to the thermal and electrical distribution system, the
joints with the silica crystals and the borders of the roof.